Martinez concerned about Kone

, 1 November, 0comments  |  Jump to most recent
Hyper-extended knee is latest problem for striker
Roberto Martinez has admitted that Arouna Koné's unusually long bout of injury niggles has him concerned

"We had a little bit of a setback and we are a bit worried with the knock he picked up against Hull," the Spaniard said.

"I am a bit concerned with his knee because he is someone who gets through anything.

Koné continued his association with Martinez when he was signed from Wigan Athletic in July for a reported £6m fee but figured only fleetingly in pre-season due to his fasting for Ramadan.

He missed the beginning of the season with a minor injury but seemed to be getting back to full fitness when he made his first and only competitive start for the Blues in the League Cup tie against Stevenage at the end of August.

A fresh knock picked up in training before the home game against Chelsea two weeks later put him back on the sidelines, though, and it was a similar story for the 29 year-old Ivorian following the game against Hull City a fortnight ago where he picked up another niggling complaint after coming on as a substitute.

"Little niggles will never stop him from playing or being available and I have never seen him like this," Martinez said of the player who made 34 appearances for the Latics last term. "We need to make sure we get to the root of the problem.

"We are going to assess him again and see because it is a little bit more serious than expected.

"He has over-extended the knee. It is something we need to find out about over the next couple of days.

"We have to do a couple more tests to see how the knee is reacting."

Quotes or other material sourced from Sporting Life





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